SEND LAWYERS, GUNS AND MONEY (AND MORE LAYOFF NOTICES)

The plot thickens in the state labor union v. Malloy administration drama—the hope being the plot won’t be the burial ground for the jobs of thousands of state workers and for the many state services that could be cut.

In the latest developments, the state labor relations board will hold a hearing next week on a challenge to what is now being widely referred to the “the do-over” on the proposed concessions deal that was previously rejected. Reporter Brian Lockhart writes that Assistant State’s Attorney (and state worker) Lisa Herskowitz in her complaint to the labor board alleges the state employee unions’ bargaining coalition violated its own bylaws by agreeing to a two-year wage freeze. She argues the coalition’s negotiating authority is only extends to pensions and health care.

As the layoff total topped 3,000, the unions whose elected leaders deem it necessary, will vote on a “clarified” concessions deal. Others, particularly those who voted to ratify the last deal, might skip the vote.

One development that seems to substantively change the original deal is that Gov. Malloy would have more leeway to layoff state workers in the future. The original deal contained a “no layoff” pledge for all unions members.